Leaether Strip

Leaether Strip is the work of Danish electronic dance artist Claus Larsen. Discovered by the German techno artist and producer Talla 2XLC, Leaether Strip quickly built a buzz as one of the most exciting young acts in Europe in the early 90's. His debut release in 1990, entitled The Pleasure of Penetration, instantly established itself as a classic, featuring an addictive and punishing rhythm style that he has since become known by. The second Leaether Strip release, Science for the Satanic Citizen, brought Claus to the attention of fans of electronic dance world wide. By the time of Leaether Strip's third release, Solitairy Confinement, the act was popular enough to also be released in the United States. Along with the subsequent CD, Underneath the Laughter, Solitairy Confinement propelled Leaether Strip to the top in sales in both the European and American electro scene. Both releases personified the powerful angst seen in other electro acts such as Nine Inch Nails and Front 242, but with a deeper message and meaning in both words and music.

The next Leaether Strip album took many by surprise, as it radically departed from past expectations. Conceived as a soundtrack piece, the beautiful Serenade for the Dead showed a completely different side of Claus, and also showed his versatility and talent. Any fears that he had turned his back on electronic dance music were gone with the release of the next Leaether Strip albums: Legacy of Hate and Lust and The Rebirth of Agony, which continued his tradition of strong songwriting and propulsive rhythms. The most recent Leaether Strip release, Self-Inflicted, has proven to be one of Claus' best efforts to date. Pleasing both old and new fans alike, Self-Inflicted also featured a very different sound after his old studio was ravaged by a flood.